Old Village Resort Petra is the Wadi Musa hotel for couples who want their room to feel like part of the landscape. Rather than a single block, it is laid out like a traditional Jordanian village, with stone and mud-plaster buildings, arched doorways, lanterns and terraces that look out toward the Shara Mountains. After a day among Nabataean tombs, coming home to stone walls and a terrace view makes sense.
The resort is larger than it first looks, with around 200 rooms, but the village layout breaks it into lanes and courtyards so it rarely feels crowded. There are indoor and outdoor pools, a spa with a heated jacuzzi, several restaurants and cafés and a restaurant dedicated to cooking classes, which makes a good rest-day activity for two.
It suits couples on a sensible budget who want character and comfort at Petra rather than brand-name polish. It is not on the doorstep of the gate like the hotels directly opposite the Visitor Center, so plan on short taxi rides or hotel transport for early starts.
Highlights at a glance
- Heritage village architecture in stone
- Terraces facing the Shara Mountains
- Indoor and outdoor pools
- Spa with heated jacuzzi
- Jordanian cooking classes on site
Why Couples Love Old Village Resort
The setting does a lot of the work here. Stone buildings follow the slope, with stairways, small squares and terraces that catch the evening light on the surrounding hills. In the cooler months, sitting outside with mint tea as the sun drops is one of the simplest pleasures of a Petra trip.
The resort also gives you room to recover. Petra is a big site with long walks and many steps and the indoor pool, heated jacuzzi and spa are welcome after a day on the trails. Because the property is spread out, you can usually find a quiet corner even when tour groups are staying.
Couples who review it warmly tend to mention the architecture, the views from the terraces and good value compared with the brand-name hotels near the gate. It feels more rooted in Jordan than a standard international hotel.
Rooms to Book
Rooms are built in the same stone style as the rest of the village, with thick walls that stay cool in summer and hold warmth on chilly winter nights. The resort offers Double Rooms with one king bed, Twin Rooms with two queens, Triple Rooms and Junior Suites, plus a royal suite for a special splurge.
For a honeymoon, book a Double Room with a king bed at minimum and ask for one with a terrace or a mountain-facing view. A Junior Suite gives more space for unpacking during a multi-night Petra stay, though the resort's own descriptions of bed types vary, so confirm that you will have a king when you reserve.
As with most hotels in Wadi Musa, rooms are comfortable rather than lavish. Think of the architecture and outdoor spaces as the treat and the room as a cozy base.
Food, Drink and the Spa
There are several places to eat without leaving the village. The Olive Tree Restaurant is the main dining room, while Al Diwan Café and Restaurant and Al Baraka Café and Restaurant offer more casual meals, coffee and tea. In fine weather, the Pool Terrace serves snacks beside the water.
The Cooking Class Restaurant is the resort's most memorable food experience. A session usually covers Jordanian staples such as mezze, maqluba or mansaf and ends with you eating what you cooked together. It is a fun way to spend an afternoon when your legs need a break from Petra's steps.
The spa has treatment rooms, a heated jacuzzi and a gym and the resort has both indoor and outdoor swimming pools. The indoor pool matters from December to February, when nights at Petra's altitude can drop close to freezing.
Why guests fall for it
Things to Do
Petra is the main event. Take a taxi or hotel transfer to the Visitor Center for opening time, walk the Siq to the Treasury before the crowds and continue to the Royal Tombs. Save the Monastery climb for the late afternoon, when the facade turns gold. A second day suits the High Place of Sacrifice trail or a guided hike to the viewpoint above the Treasury.
Petra by Night runs on set evenings, with hundreds of candles lining the Siq and the Treasury. Check the schedule when you arrive.
Little Petra, about 15 minutes north, is quiet and easy to explore in an hour or two and Wadi Rum is a two-hour drive south for a desert night. Dress modestly in town and at the site, with shoulders and knees covered for both of you and bring sturdy shoes, sunscreen and a warm layer for evenings outside summer.
Getting There
Fly into Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) near Amman, then drive about three hours south. The Desert Highway is fastest, while the King's Highway takes longer but passes Madaba's mosaics, Mount Nebo and Kerak Castle, which makes a good sightseeing day. Most couples book a private driver through a Jordanian tour operator or the hotel.
King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba (AQJ) is about two hours away and suits trips that also include Wadi Rum or the Red Sea.
Once in Wadi Musa, taxis are inexpensive and easy to find for the short ride to the Petra gate. Agree the fare before you get in, or ask the hotel front desk to arrange a car. Entry and visa rules depend on your citizenship and can change at short notice, so check the official government website before you book.
Is It Worth It?
For couples who want character at a fair price, yes. Rates are approximate and shift with the season, but rooms here often start well below those at the hotels directly opposite the Petra gate, which leaves more budget for guides, a cooking class or an extra night in Wadi Rum.
The trade-off is distance and polish. You will need a short ride to the gate each morning and service is friendly rather than finely tuned. The resort is also large, so ask for a quiet room away from group wings.
Pick the Mövenpick Resort Petra if walking straight into the site is your priority, or a hotel on the ridge above town if valley views from your bed matter most. Choose Old Village Resort if you want terraces, stone walls and a hotel that looks like it belongs in the hills of southern Jordan.
Insider tips
- Ask for a king-bed room with a terrace or mountain view when you book.
- Arrange a car to the Petra gate the night before so you arrive at opening.
- Book the cooking class for your rest afternoon between Petra days.
- Pack a warm layer for winter evenings; the indoor pool is the place to be.
